Sign construction



Sept. 18,1934. J. A. HENNING sIG'N CONSTRUCTION Sept. 18, 1934. J. A. HENNING SIGN CONSTRUCTION 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 18 HWENTOR. Joh; A. Henn/bg. M /7( Q A OMM Patented Sept. 18, 1934 ,UNI'IED STATES PATENT OFFICE militanten/ray 1s, 1931, seria1N0:53s,15`6 s claims. (c1. Lio-s2) This invention relates to asign` construction and particularly a construction in which a message as an advertising spread'or slogan can'be brought to the attention of the publicor inter- 5 ested persons in a novel and attention holding manner. v

The invention is particularly concerned .wit-h.

the provision of a sign to display a message of relatively great length without requiring the extensive, intricate electrical mechanisms heretofore utilized. I

'I'he invention is also concerned with certain improvements in sign construction which enable a sign to be provided of a relatively simple and inexpensive nature to display a message in a peculiarly distinctive and interest-attracting manner. Y

The invention possesses other advantageous features and objects, some of which, with the 29 foregoing, will appear at length in the following wherein I have outlined the preferred form of the sign constructionof my invention. In the drawings, accompanying and forming a part of this specification, I have illustrated the Vpreferred form of sign construction of my invention but it is to be understood that other forms thereof can be adopted without departing from the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the sign construction shown in plan in Figure 4, the view being in right and left hand fragments. Figure 2 is a plan view from the bottom of the sign, the view being partly in section. i

Figure 3 is a section taken through a sign, generally along the line 3--3 .of Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a plan View, partly. in section, taken throughja sign embodying the construction of my invention. A m

Figure 5 is a plan view of a portion of the message carrying medium or belt.

Figure 6 is a sectionthroughthe medium orbelt. In its preferred form, the-sig'nfof my invention is characterized bythe inclusion of a display portion which is adapted to be positioned so as to be plainly visible to public view. Over this portion, a message carrying medium isadapt'ed to be moved :so that a portion of it'smessageis always on dissage length can be relatively greatiand-in which various messages can be brought to the public attention, one after the other. I

In the preferred form of the sign construction shown in the drawings, I have depictedallfof they working mechanism of thesign as'being included*- within a casing 5, while certain'of the mechanism -small holesas is shown inFigure l." v`-There are several features in the use of this is carried on an inner casing 6 which is movable relative to the casing 5. The casing 5, usually constructed of a suitable material as sheet iron,

is open on-one side. Over this openside a suitable frame '7, preferably of an ornamental naturej 30 is positioned. Within the frame, a suitable transparent medium or means 8 such as arglass sheet is positioned through which the messageis displayed. This medium or means can be either a` plain glass or one having light diffusing or re-fl5 fracting surfaces. The illumination of the message through the sheet 8 can be effected by any suitable means such as sunlight or by the use` of artificial illuminating means as a plurality of electric globes 9 carried inv sockets l1 mounted onm the inner casing 6. Suitable light directing means as reiiectors l2 are positioned about the Yglobes 9 to direct the light therefrom onto the transparent glass 8 through the belt 14.

The Length of the display portion of, the s1gnf`75 construction is usually relatively short since the sign has been used with particular success in store Windows or in store front illumination. However, in accordance with my invention, I am enl abled to show a message of vastly greater length480 than that of the display length of the frame '7. Thus the message length is not limited to the length of the frame '7 nor is not confined or limited by the length of the sign itself. l

In the preferred form of the invention I have secured'this desirable result by providinga medium 14 for carrying the message continuously over a path which includes a display portion and another portion, preferably of a tortuousnatura, thereby enabling the message tobe very long. Astigo a medium I preferably use anopaque and nonlight vtransmitting belt of a flexible resilient. na-

ture. I have successfully used a belt of a packingmaterialf-that manufactured andsold by Them VAnchor Packing Company under the .trade-mark '95 Hydrol-, registry number 91,395. iv

The message fto be conveyed is, cut out o f' the body of the' belt solthat when the belt is-A posi- Ationed between the reflectors and lamps andthe glass 8, light passes through the cut out portion play In accordance with my, invention. I am' of the belt and thus delineatesthe letters on `the enabled to provide a sign inwhich the total mes` -belt'witliinthe frame 7. The` style of letter'used `andthe manner of" forming the message in. the belt can be varied. I have successfully used 2.105 zpunch and formed `the letters of a lplurality of lcontinuous belt that VI believe to be particularly desirable and novel. Thus, V'that portionrof the 110 inner casing corresponding to the frame 7 is provided with trackways for the belt. These track- Ways are formed by fastening angle pieces 16 adjacent to the edges 17 oi the casing, the track- 5 ways extending the length of the display portion of the casing and conning the edges of the belt. The belt is circulated over a pair of wooden rollers 18 which are supported in the upper portion and invtlie ,'bottem (jf-{the}inneffcajsingkby rollerbearingsQfl The rollers 418` '"s'erve 'Et' guide the belt in its entrance into the trackvvays from the tortuous portion for movement over the display portion of the frame.

belt within the reservoir is more advantageous than if the belt were Wound about various mechanical means such as a plurality of rollers over which the belt is drawn. However, under some Circumstances, it is desirable to employ such a device in place of the simple storage space, but only under the burden of increased expense and operating difficulties.

1th@ -bs'nlpreyiously meatienedihat the workingiinechanisin ofthe signis oarriedpnthe inner Vcasing 6. This is preferably arranged to slide relative to the enclosing casing 5 so that certain ad- "justments and visual effects can be secured. Thus I have found that it is more advantageous, Y? lpllglllde, another light dffll-S11g 01' leflting pull or draw the beit past the display' portion medium 0r means 47 on the mnel casing 6 berather than to force it thereoveri,zlllcooidingly,;nl7leel llerlglflt SOU-lCe and the bet- The effect I provide a pair of driving rolls ZZLWhich arelike. ef. jpeg.W0 l h1efnd1ng medie is Seemed 0H Wise suitably journaled in rl'l'leilealingst2'car 'thevsble message This effect, depending 0n ried by the inner casing. These rollsjare-pref'erhealgement and relative positioning of the 20 ably positioned to cooperatively engage the belt tW0 and the Style in Which the message is Cut out egjtcsgeglwemmy the'Ou-s'bhgf'g Oge .loithabelty eantbeI varieditolsecureneithen a;plain "f b'be'r tori'gag lie belt in' 'a 'psifivez-"dnhg delineationofA eachfletternorzothendelineations fajgle vd"of:aistartling .ibrillianceL-clarity (andiinterestpat- -.-`-`r :r111e' v-51twhich is' engaged 34Amd spullednby' the v 'titacting `Vnature. tEiects suchas thesa arernot r11f 2-2`vffh dslyptmig flferblypossible.withfNeon. anchlike illuminants1` are 4frnzd-dieuy @utf-nm be en .th'rnn'nto achleved by thls arrangement. When anadiustfuid poft-Onfwhh I Hv' mdc-)iedugf2-6-iidnient` of-.thetwo.-med1a svlnch. 1s .deemed satis- Whhfsffied'y"'lfs V-gry ",gg'ffifhgbm iactoryissecureduthecasings 5 andarelpcked :..Hizm 5-1t foin #tl'efiSvE-aceian@ ee -,.initliatposition by screw/S148tengaginglpgsefiaon Senat n'psss a' y reus and" nnjot ftheknmeffsmgf f Y "b'e'eofne"I vvoulndaroundtl'ern. Ffth'i's're so 'the when it s de sle to Change the beltrtnefcon 'ffplaf Zfflude. fpth 3 1i which if d v 't-d .neetionsliowniinfeigunes, 5 `a no,6 .canibelsnnply ftd conformiteit@pnbhry' Oft mi jv'efyjfipsiy -m-fulk1y-blienspyen-f-Opel'atol- Time-by so 'matiere b'eitcannttreed' back around 'm1511011 grew-,11g OPQQSe-Seceolemende 5l-,21nd- 5-2 ,0f he -"35fwii1 e une' piste ukewjisejmeiuue's "prnz *hele eneullnetheusetlonsepe, einge 535er" adapted byitsformatittt prevent 'the amies-"enneh-{Ilge-Isfemem geese-meme" 54; faStSIled by flVetS 56 t0 SeCtlOIl 5l and 1-1KB mailer" meenten een nues with an arcuate membeelfestenedtethe-0fl1el secti0efzsefihei guide portion against 't lii'eh''t'he belt ismguide'd by "the"c0'0peratlng andmrlclckmg p0rno-1558 n" 'dfaiflleize tdi-wa:ifieensg-fored. its vyinwa 'predetermined inanner. '5" f All thev rolls 'are eci eniently'driven by4 an elec- 111mm megan. @grammarware .fp'pa ent-.thatlbave densedianovelf man@ eiatures truetion rthat makeA vailable a I naxon gagexpBy slidingLthetwdmernbersrelative. toach e gethelby meansiof, suchconnections, or varpps :e

the gearing or the motor speed, I have found a speed of about feet per minute across the display front satisfactory. This is a matter of psychology, depending in part also on the message shown and the media used for refracting or diffusing the light through the belt. By adjusting the relative positions of the media, the belt and the speed of the belt different illuminations and portrayals of the message can be secured.

I claim:

1. In a sign including a relatively long flexible continuous message carrying belt, a display portion for showing only a portion of the message carried by the belt at one time, means for storing that portion of the belt not being displayed, means for pulling the belt over the display portion continuously, and a stationary curved guide member for directing the belt into the storage portion, said guide member having an end terminating adjacent the point where the belt leaves said pulling means and on which the belt travels for directing the belt into said storing means.

2. In a sign, a display portion, a light refracting or diffusing medium positioned over the display portion, a continuous belt having a message therein adapted to be moved past the medium, means for illuminating the belt and the medium, and means for adjustably positioning the medium, belt and illuminating means to secure a desired illumination of the message in the belt.

3. In a sign, a casing having a sign display portion, an endless belt of greater length than the display portion and adapted to be moved past the display portion, a chamber for storing the portion of the belt not being displayed, means directly adjacent an end of said display portion forrpulling the belt past the display portion, and stationary guide members adjacent said belt pulling means forming a predetermined path for directing the belt in folds into said storage chamber, said guide members having ends terminating adjacent the point where the belt leaves said pulling means for directing the belt into said chamber without back winding thereof.

4. In a sign, a display portion, spaced light refracting or diffusing media positioned over the display portion, a continuous belt having a message adapted to be moved past and between the media, means for illuminating the belt and media,

and means for mounting the media for adjustment relative to each other.

5. In a sign, a display portion, spaced light refracting or diffusing media positioned over the display portion, a member having a message and between said media, means for illuminating the member and media, and means for mounting the media for adjustment relative to each other.

6. In a sign, a display portion, a light refracting or diffusing medium positioned over the display portion, a member having a message and spaced from the medium, means for illuminating the member and medium, and means for mounting the medium and member for adjustment relative to each other.

7. In a sign, a casing having a sign display portion, an endless belt of greater length than the display portion and adapted to be moved past the display portion, a chamber for storing the portion of the belt not being displayed, a plurality of rollers for pulling the belt over the display portion continuously and between which the belt passes, and guide means having an end terminating adjacent the point where the belt passes from between said rollers for directing the belt into the storage chamber.

8. In a sign, a casing having a sign display portion, an endless belt of greater length than the display portion. and adapted to be moved past the display portion, a chamber for storing 35 the portion of the belt not being displayed, a plurality of rollers for pulling the belt over the display portion continuously and between which the belt passes, and a stationary curved guide member having an end terminating directly adgig jacent the point where the belt passes from between said rollers for directing the belt into the storage chamber.

9. In a sign, a casing having a sign display portion, an endless belt of greater length than 1-5 the display portion and adapted to be moved past the display portion, a chamber for storing the portion of the belt not being displayed, a roller for pulling the belt over the display portion, and a guide member having an end por- 30 tion arranged tangentially with respect to said roller and terminating adjacent the point where the belt leaves said roller to direct the belt into said chamber.

JOHN A. HENNING. 

